Philippians 2:12-18
Paul's instruction to "Do all things without grumbling or questioning" because we are to shine as lights in the world is a good one--especially for me this week. You see as much as I'd like to tell you that I'm always a bright, shining light to the world, I can't. Sometimes my light flickers, and my most recent "flicker" was just a few days back. I was traveling for work and having difficulty with flights. It had been a long day and then it happened, I totally lost my cool with some young lady just doing her job as I went through security. I know, shame on me. :( Afterwards I just kept thinking What kind of picture did you paint for that young lady of being a Christian? I sure wish I had thought of Philippians 2:14-15 before I acted.
So how can we draw on Paul's wise words today? And what are some things we can do to keep our light shining steadily before the world? Tami W.
The only way I can explain our behavior...(mine has been twice as bad for I feel am the worst of sinners)...is that Satan is on the prowl seeking whom he may devour...oh BUT Christ Jesus! Thank be to God for His saving grace. Paul says we must put on the FULL armor of God every day and pray. Yes I can try to do right in everything but I fail. So If I have His armor on no matter what The Holy Spirit lives in me and He will make all things new.I can think about things that are true right noble pure lovely admirable excellent praiseworthy. I will confess sin and repent but I never give up there is no turning back. I'll keep on trusting that Jesus Christ is Lord and His Will will be done....I can only LET Him do it in me. Amen?
Paul mentions here, that he is not with his friends but has confidence in them for they have followed the will of God openly in a depraved generation. Remembering to stay firmly planted in the will of God even in the most difficult times, is the witness to the world that we are not doing this on our own but allowing the spirit within us to mirror the peace and grace of our Lord! God is good all the time!
The phrase Paul used "in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation" really stood out. If it was crooked and twisted back then, imagine what it would be today? Paul's life was lived as a sacrifice to others, as our needs to be today in our age.
Wow, Tami thanks for being real!
the examples in the Bible of a light is a lamp . it needs oil . to me the oil is the Holy Spirit . in oreder for my light to shine brightly i need my lamp filled . i am the vessel , the lamp . as a lamp burns the oil you have to put more in it . ASK the Lord daily to fill you with His Spirit and the lamp will shine. Ephesians 5 .17 "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." the idea is to be continually filled in its original language, be being filled . why ? because we burn the oil .
I am new to poweredby4, but a long-time listener to Back to the Bible and a friend to this ministry. "Complaining" and not very "shiny", that's how I came home from a Bible Study that I guide [info removed]. There is an lady in the Study and she talks over others and tells endless stories for everything. She left the study a few months ago and I want to confess that I was so relieved and I felt my "shine" return. She wanted to come for the summer and here I am again. I am so convicted by God's Word today and I am so thankful that it is where we are in poweredby4. It is not in me to be unkind, but others think I should confront her as they are annoyed. Please pray for me!
God is sooo cool. Yesterday, I was sending a friend a few verses to encourage her with and I came across Phil 2:14-15 the same verses you just mentioned. Again...yesterday... I decided it was one of the verses that I need to hide in my heart so that I might not sin against God. I wrote it on an index card so that I could learn and apply it and it will be one that my girls will have to memorize and apply as well. Today, God is showing me it is a verse I need to add to my memory bank.
My church is growing, praise God! In a time when many are turning away from the church, this really has been amazing to be a part of. On the flip side, we've outgrown our space and had to rent alternative space that requires a lot of set up and break down every week. We need a solid 30 people or more to help every week and it never comes close. And it has been frustrating at times, to say the least. This verse has come right at the time that I needed it. Because no matter what my circumstances, this verse is a reminder that doing "everything" means just that EVERYTHING without grumbling or questioning. Sorry Lord. I know that my actions are either turning people to Jesus or turning people away from Jesus. Thank you for your timely reminder.
The 'grumbling or questioning' words stood out for me as well and when I first read it I also thought of the word 'complaining'. This is something I struggle with and I have to constantly tell myself NOT to do it. I'm grateful for my life, for my kids, for my home and when I complain, I'm essentially telling God that I don't appreciate His blessings. If Paul was content with his circumstances, I need to rejoice and thank God for all that He's given me. When I don't complain, I can look outside of myself and share my joy with others. Grumbling is such an easy trap and I must choose that Jesus will strengthen me not to do it.
Today I am having a "grumbling/questioning" day. For 2 weeks we have known that my husband was losing his teaching job. Today it really hit me, as I have been filling out forms to apply for scholarships for my oldest at the Christian school he is to attend in the fall, and for both of my boys to be on state-funded health care. In the midst of the chaos we are still so Blessed. I have been "looking down at the waves" and doubting, not up toward my heavenly Father, trusting that He will make things okay. He wants us to learn something from this and strengthen our faith in Him and yet I grumble about it. In all things...I am trying as we have a non-believing friend who worked with my husband and also lost his job. I want him to see us trusting God and shine for Him, even in the midst of trouble. Some days are just harder than others!
I am traveling home today from my best friends funeral and have been thinking a lot today about his life and how he shown his light. He was only 52 and died of cancer from a parasite he got in the mission field in Africa. We had a lot of mutual friends that are not Christians. We have both got a lot of ridicule in the past, but he could always stand firm in his testimony and never reject them. I would hope that someday I could have the same kind of effect on our friends.
I think this is a struggle for most all people! No grumbling or questioning is a very hard thing it seems. Praise God for His patience. I think we can be drawn closer to Christ by reading His word daily and keeping Him on our mind then we will all come closer to no grumbling or questioning. I like you Tami have found myself grumbling and questioning at work this week. Keep me in your prayers!
Wow God is so amazing! The verse that caught my eye was vs 13 "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure." That verse comes right before Paul exhorts us to do all things without complaining.....we can only do this through the Lord who enables us!By His Spirit, thank you Leo for the oil analogy. May we all be encouraged because Our Father sees our desire to shine for Him in this crooked world and He has given us the means to do it, in and through Him. Praise the Lord!!